Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dr. Amy Acton speaks at a primary election night campaign event after winning the party's nomination for governor in Columbus, Ohio, Tuesday, May 5, 2026.
Ohio's primary election set up two marquee matchups in November. One is a U.S. Senate race that will help determine control of the chamber. The other is a governor’s race featuring a former presidential candidate and the state’s COVID-era health director. The Senate campaign is on track to be among the most expensive this year as Republicans try to hold onto their majority during a difficult midterm cycle. Former Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, will attempt to unseat Republican Sen. Jon Husted. In the governor’s race, biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy clinched the Republican nomination on Tuesday and will face off this fall against the state’s COVID-era health director, Democrat Amy Acton.